Colostomy device



June 26, 1951 J. M. PHILLIPS COLOSTOMY DEVICE Filed March 8; 1949 INVNTQR. Q6720 1W. Phi/40s $1 Hllll Patented June 26, 195i UNITED STATES PATENT QFFECE COLOSTOMY DEVICE John M. Phillips, Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. Application March 8, 1949, Serial No. 80,285

13 Claims. 1

My invention relates to a colostomy device and more particularly to a novel colostomy frame structure and container which is removably suspended by said frame by a novel assembly, and which is further constructed of a moisture barrier material substantially impervious to moisture and to odorous fumes, gases, and the like.

Considerable trouble has been experienced in the past with devices of this type in that they did not fit right and their use has not been satisfactory because the containers were not of such a type to permit of ready disposal, nor were they capable of sealing off all odors. Thus persons suffening from the after condition of colostomy operations have been unable to circulate in society or carry on their usual daily tasks.

It is an object of my present invention to overcome the many difficulties heretofore encountered with devices of this character by constructing a unit that is readily applied, which causes little or no discomfort to the person who is obliged to wear same, and which is compactly assembled and which very definitely improves the general overall usefulness of the patient in society and in his daily work.

The present device is made so it is readily disposed of, can be worn in comfort, and is especially fitted and assembled to maintain the container extended at all times.

For a more detailed understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing illustrating preferred embodiments of my invention, wherein like parts are referred to by like characters throughout the several views, and in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view of my novel colostomy device secured in place about the body of a person;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevational view of the colostomy frame with the colostomy bag or container removed;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, but illustrating the bag or container assembled to the frame;

Fig. 5 is an elevational detail view of the ba or container; and

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view similar to Fig. 3, and showing a modified construction.

The colostomy device comprises a frame member A and a bag or container B supported thereby. A colostomy operation provides for a discharge tube usually projected through the abdominal wall and some sort of container must always be worn so as to receive the discharged fluid and solids from the tube. To prevent irritation by the tube, the container is supported so as to not rub the tube.

My improved colostomy frame member comprises a ring In to which is preferably welded at H the return bent tongues l2 of a frame member I4, the main body portion of the frame being outwardly spaced from the ring it. Said ring I 0 is made of a special non-corrosive stainless steel and is constructed to bear against the body of the person wearing the colostomy device, and to substantially encircle the discharge tube. The rear of the ring is provided with a flange l5 about the opening it in the ring, which flange provides a button.

The frame member M is preferably cut out as shown to lighten its weight, and is provided with a pair of downwardly extending and outwardly offset lugs ll and upwardly extending, outward- 1y offset lugs l8, said lugs ll and I8 serving as guides to support an elastic belt 25 employed to clamp or otherwise secure the device to the body of the person who is obliged to wear same.

The bag or container B is constructed of a moisture barrier material, the edges of which are heat sealed to provide a closed container. This container is preferably formed from a single sheet of such material by folding over so as to overlap the free ends at 25 which are sealed together under heat and pressure. The top and bottom edges 25 and 21 are respectively sealed together in the same manner. The container is entirely closed excepting for the hole 28 in one wall, this hole being designated as a button-hole. The diameter of the hole 28 is designed to be a little less than the outer diameter of the button 15, and the nature of the material used is such as to permit same to be stretched and snapped over the flanged button l5 and to thereby tightly and yieldingly engage in the groove behind the flange l5 (see Fig. 4). Thus the escape of any odor around the button is clearly prevented by the tight seal had between the elastic material of the container and the button.

In order to open the container and to prevent same from collapsing and thus rubbing on the tube 40 extending from the patients body through said ring l3, a tab structure is secured to the other wall of the container. This tab structure 30 has oppositely extending free ends 3 l, suitably perforated as at 32, and of a length so that same can be attached to the projections or cars 33 carried on the frame member 16. The middle portionof the tab structure is heat sealed to the container B and the upwardly and downwardly extending tabs 3| serve to hold the walls of the container apart as illustrated.

The spacing between the frame member [4 and the ring l0, which carries the button [5 is such as to permit one to insert his fingers in such space, grasp the container and button or unbutton same from the ring. However, at times a patient prefers to have a device which is not so thick through and he may thus use a device as illustrated in Fig. 6, in which construction the spacing between the frame member Ma and the ring lfia is such as to prevent one from inserting his fingers into such space to button or unbutton the container from the ring. In order to make. it possible to do this, I have provided the frame I la with a window [4b of sufficient size to allow one to easily and readily reach the button, said window being closed by a hinged door He or other suitable closure. On assembly of the elastic belt, the door is held tightly closed.

Although I have illustrated and described in detail but one form of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention pertains that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without "departing from the spirit of my invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a colostomy apparatus of the character described, a colostomy frame comprising a ring adapted for contact with the body of a person, and a frame member permanently secured to the ring and overlying said ring in spaced relation therewith, said ring provided with a flanged button-like portion on that side toward said overlying frame member, and a disposable container having a button hole but otherwise closed, said container supported between said ring and frame member and detachably secured to said ring by means of said button and button hole assembly and to said frame member.

2. In a colostomy apparatus of the character described, a colostomy frame comprising a ring adapted for contact with the body of a person, and a frame member permanently secured to the ring and overlying said ring in spaced relation therewith, said ring provided with a fianged button like portion on that side toward said overlying frame member, and a disposable container having a button hole but otherwise closed, said container supported between said ring and frame member and detachably secured to said colostomy frame by means of said button and button hole assembly, said container having upwardly extending and downwardly extending tabs secured on the side opposite to said button hole, and upwardly extending and downwardly extending projections carried by the frame member to which said tabs may be respectively detachably secured, said projections and button providing the spaced supports for suspending the container between the ring and frame member.

3. In a colostomy apparatus of the character described, a colostomy frame comprising a ring adapted for contact with the body of a person, and a frame member secured to the ring and overlying said ring in spaced relation therewith, said ring provided with a flanged button like portion on that side toward said overlying frame member, and a disposable container having a button hole but otherwise closed, said container supported between said ring and frame member and detachably secured to said colostomy frame by means of said button and button hole assembly, said frame member having lower upwardly extending and outwardly offset lugs and upper downwardly extending outwardly offset lugs, and an elastic belt threaded behind said lugs and yieldingly securing said frame to the body of the person.

4. In a colostomy apparatus of the character described, a colostomy frame comprising a ring adapted for contact with the body of a person, and a frame member secured to the ring and overlying said ring in spaced relation therewith, said ring provided with a flanged buttonlike portion on that side toward said overlying frame member, and a disposable container having a button hole but otherwise closed, said container supported between said ring and frame member and detachably secured to said colostomy frame by means of said button and buttonhole assembly, said container having tabs secured on the side opposite to said buttonhole, and projections carried by the frame member to which said tabs may be detachably secured, said frame member having lower upwardly extending and outwardly offset lugs and upper downwardly extending outwardly offset lugs, and an elastic belt threaded behind said lugs and yieldingly securing said frame to the body of the person, said container suspended from the frame in a noncollapsed condition by reason of the spaced detachable connections whereby said container is fastened to said frame.

5. In a colostomy apparatus of the character described, a colostom frame comprising a ring adapted for contact against the body of the person, and a frame member formed of sheet metal and having return bent tongue portions butt Welded to the periphery of said ring whereby to dispose the main body portion of the frame member in outwardly spaced relation with respect to said ring, said ring having an outwardly offset flange encircling the opening in said ring and providing a button, and a disposable container having a button hole but otherwise closed and constructed of a flexible moisture proof barrier substantially impervious to moisture and odors,

said container buttoned to said ring, and means detachably securing the side wall of the container opposite to the side carrying the button hole to the outwardly spaced main body portion, whereby to suspend said container intermediate the ring and frame member in a non-collapsed condition.

6. A colostomy container comprising a closed disposable bag provided with a button hole in one side and a plurality of tabs on one of said other walls, said button hole and tabs adapted to be detachably secured to a colostomy frame structure carrying spaced means disposed to be attached to said button hole and tabs.

7. A colostomy container comprising a bag having a circular hole in one side and which is adapted to be detachably secured about a button for supporting same, and upwardl and downwardly extending tabs secured on one of said other walls and adapted to be secured to another support secured to and spaced from said button, whereby to support said container at laterally outwardly spaced points in a non-collapsed condition.

8. A colostomy container comprising a disposable bag constructed of a moisture barrier material substantially impervious to moisture and odorous fumes, the meeting edges of said bag structure being heat sealed to provide a closed container, said bag being closed around all edges, but having a button hole in one side wall and one or more perforated tabs secured to the external surface of one of said other container walls and respectively extending upwardly and downwardly substantially parallel with respect to the plane of side walls thereof.

9. A colostomy container comprising a disposable closed bag excepting for the provision of a button hole in one side wall thereof, and a tab structure fastened to the exterior face of the other wall thereof, said tab structure comprising a free perforated tab end and constructed of a multiple layer of material adapted to be heat sealed to a side Wall of said bag proper and extending substantially parallel with respect to the plane of the container side wall.

10. In a colostomy apparatus of the character described, a colostomy frame comprising a ring adapted for contact with the body of a person, and a frame member secured to the ring and overlying said ring in spaced relation therewith, said ring provided with a flanged button like portion on that side toward said overlying frame member, and a disposable container having a button hole but otherwise closed, said container detachably secured to said colostomy frame b means of said button and button hole assembly and suspended intermediate the frame member and ring, said button hole being of less diameter than the button and thereby meant to be stretched on being fitted to said button.

11. In a colostomy apparatus of the character described, a colostomy frame comprising a ring adapted for contact with the body of a person, and a frame member secured to the ring and overlying said ring in spaced relation therewith, said ring provided with a flanged button like portion on that side toward said overlying frame member, and a container havin a button hole but otherwise closed, said container detachably secured to said colostomy frame by means of said button and button hole assembly and suspended intermediate said ring and frame member, said button hole being of less diameter than the button and thereby meant to be stretched on being fitted to said button, the edges of said button hole encircling said button and the opening through said ring carrying said button.

12. In a colostomy apparatus of the character described, a colostomy frame comprising a ring adapted for contact with the body of a person,

and a frame member secured to the ring and overlying said ring in spaced relation therewith, said ring provided with a flanged button like porton on that side toward said overlying frame member, and a container having a button hole but otherwise closed, said container detachably secured to said colostomy frame by means of said button and'button hole assembly, said main body position of the frame member overlying said ring spaced from said ring to an extent sufficient to allow for opening said bag but to an extent insufficient to permit entrance of fingers between the frame and ring to button the container to the ring, said main body portion of the frame provided with an opening of greater dimension than the ring and also aligned therewith, and an outwardly swinging door hinged to said frame and closing said opening, and an elastic belt for securing the apparatus to the body of the person, said belt further overlying said door and serving to maintain said door closed.

13. In a colostomy apparatus of the character described, a colostomy frame comprising a ring adapted for contact with the body of a person and a frame member permanently secured to the ring and overlying said ring in spaced relation therewith, a container detachably secured to said ring and frame member and suspended intermediate said ring and frame member, said frame member having a main body portion overlying said container and having an opening aligned with said ring, and an outwardly swinging door hinged to said frame member and closing said opening.

JOHN M. PHILLIPS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,922,763 Gricks Aug. 15, 1933 2,127,834 Spindell Aug. 23, 1938 2,129,054 Geisler Sept. 6, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 239,582 Great Britain Sept. '7, 1925 

